A second bite at the 18th cherry

Tomorrow sees the start of the BMW PGA championship at Wentworth's West Course, with a stellar line-up including all four of the world's current major winners and six of the world's top seven chasing the €750,000 top prize. Perhaps the most intriguing elements of this year's tournament again involves the iconic 18th hole.

This time last year we interviewed Ernie Els about his major redesign of this classic par 5, but after getting some mixed feedback from the pros at last year's BMW PGA, the hole has had another big facelift for this year's tournament.

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The problem from the players' perspective was that the changes to the par 5 18th made it much harder to reach in two - which meant most laid up, so reducing its impact as one of golf's great closing holes. So it was back to the drawing board this year, resulting in the green being lowered and increased in size, with a bank at the back to catch shots.

“I believe many more players will take the new green on in two at this year’s Championship," says Els. "To get this absolutely as we all wanted required two bites of the cherry, but this ultimately is the best solution for this iconic finishing hole.”

“That little bit of extra margin for error definitely makes a difference to your shot selection. We are hoping for an exciting climax to the tournament."

Tickets for the BMW PGA Championship will be available to buy at the gate.For more info on Visitor Golf or Membership visit wentworthclub.com

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